Operation Optimization and Performance Evaluation of Kaligandaki A Hydropower Plant

Even though electricity supplies only about 6 % of total energy demand of Nepal, it being the cleanest form of energy, there is an increasing demand for it. Rapid urbanization, population growth and technological development help to further increase the demand of electricity. But, total installed capacity of hydropower plants in Nepal is very low and total generation from all these plants is inadequate to meet the demand. There exists capacity shortage of electricity. Due to low river discharge in dry seasons, this capacity shortage is further exacerbated resulting high load shedding hours. To rectify this capacity shortage, either new plants are to be constructed or operate existing plants in a more efficient way. Construction of new plants require large investment and gestation period, so for present context optimization of existing plant is the best option. Among different possible optimization methods, type 1 and type 2 optimization were carried out in KGAHPP as this being the largest plant in operation in Nepal (144MW). The results from type 1 and type 2 optimization justify the effort, time and money invested.